Easter Egg Hunt!

 This former Canada Goose egg was the only egg we found...and they didn't even bother to dye it!

Another fine Easter at Sandy Ridge Reservation, one of our favorite places to burd! What a wonderful change from our walk there a couple of weeks ago... It was sunny and warm...just like spring is supposed to be! There were lots of walkers and birders out enjoying the weather along with us and the birds. We could hear many of them lil birdies singing their hearts out in the forested area...not that we could see them though. Next time...in the mean time...

 Look Ma! No ice!

 The wonders of nature...and a few degrees of warmth!

(If you're wondering why I didn't post any pics of this walk...look closely.

THERE AIN'T NO BIRDS OUT IN THAT WEATHER!)

 Even this Canada Goose was trying to run away from the cold winds!

 "OH YEA!"

He likes this nice warm bath...

 Look into his eyes and you'll see me and The Doodles standing there!

 American Robins were doing a little personal spring cleaning...

 ...then drying out in the sun.

Remember the sun? It comes back after winter...until the April showers anyway.

 Oh, those American Tree Sparrows...such jokers!

 As soon as they see a camera, they start making faces and acting goofy.

I can't imagine ever doing that myself...really.

 As always, the ducks were on the far side of the marsh.

There had been a Eurasian Wigeon around.

Not today, just an American Wigeon...and lots of American Coots(and a couple of old Coots as well!)

 The Bald Eagle is still sitting on the nest.

I wonder whats going on under there?

 The mate was getting ready to fly into that pine tree.

ARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!!

(Not really.)

 The Great Egrets are back too!

That's just great.

 Ya know, I was trying to get a nice photo of these empty branches and one of those show off 

Golden-crowned Kinglets just had to fly through and ruin my shot.

Idiots.

(If you ever need an excuse for a bad photo, email me. I have lots!)

 Why do Black-capped Chickadees always look at me like I'm crazy?

 Those are Green Frog Tadpoles writhing around in the muck.

Some will make it through the winter every year.

"Witaj! Czy rozumiesz po Polsku?"

(That was a tad Polish...)

((Get it?))

(((HA!)))

 

 These butts are for you!

 "Really Loopy?"

(Mallards are so sensitive...)

 TURTLE BOOTY!

What other blog shows you quality stuff like this? Hmmm?

Yep, NO ONE!

Midland Painted Turtle Butt.

 Tell your friends.
Limited time only.
Operators are standing by...

 They have very artistic Beavers at Sandy Ridge.

(Honest, I didn't do that.)

 This was the most serious Red-winged Blackbird I've ever met.

Maybe his stocks went down...

 LOOK!

The Doodles came out of hibernation!

And she has a new Black Swamp hat...

 I hope those Sandhill Cranes weren't laughing at that hat, because I have one too.

Silly cranes, must be spring fever...

 This Sandhill was walking out of the marsh and right across the trail in front of us.

He got too close to take photos!

 This was the first time we saw THREE Sandhill Cranes here.

There have been two  unsuccessfully trying to nest for a few years,
now there's this third wheel coming in.

Uh-oh.

 

 Did you know that Rusty Blackbird populations have dropped 85-95%?

That's why he's so angry.

If you see any out there report them to the International Rusty Blackbird Working Group and eBird.

Thanks!

Oh those Song Sparrows are soooo cute!

One last butt for the road!

(It's a Killdeer!)

You may be excused now. Thanks for visiting!

An Odd Duck...

 White-tailed Duck? 

Please note the "tail" end of a Mallard flying away in shock.

So...(here we go again!)there I was, minding my own business...sort of...at Sunset Pond behind the nature center at North Chagrin Reservation, when I hear what sounded like an oafish woman in high heels running up behind me, definitely not The Dawdling Doodles every so gentle clomping. Before I could spin me and my camera around to see who was attacking from the rear, I heard a very loud splash. Oops...Ms. Graceful just did a swan dive into the pond.

Turns out it was a White-tailed Deer with an aversion to photographers and a gift for diving and swimming. I'd give her a three for style, an eight for the size of the splash. Who'd a thought...deer can swim? Hmmmph...

 That's one way to cool off on a hot summers day.

 

"Dry land at last!"

 

 The fish were definitely a little befuddled at the sight of their guest.

 Waiting patiently for something to pop out of that hole...

Maybe it's a wild life "whack-a-mole" game!

 After wisely giving up on the ducklings, 

Mr. Great Blue got himself a little furry something for lunch.

I once had a bologna sammich that was a little furry...

 

 Can't trust Midland Painted Turtles...they will sneak up behind you and try to tip you over.

Please note the bad guy up on the log trying to flip his buddy.

Sounds like something my brother would do to me...

(Have I told you the story of him knocking me down when I was 5 to impress a girl? No? One of these days...)

 A prim and proper Green Heron.

 

 A prim and proper Green Heron hacking up a hair ball...or frog ball...or fish...oh never mind.

 Frog baby!

 I'm sorry...they're call "Tadpoles."

Silly name. Who came up with that one?

I like frog babies.

It's my blog and I can call them whatever I want.

Ha.

 

 "Yeah, so, I was swimming along minding my own business when George comes up and says, "So, what's up" and I said, Don't give me that what's up stuff, you know what's up, and he says back to me 'You kidding right?"  and I says Huh! you know very well what I'm talking about! And he just stares at me with this stupid look on his face like he's been reading that moronic blog again."

  We better go now. I think it may be time for my nap...

Stay tuned kiddies for more excitement coming your way soon!